Jack Carr

Jack Carr spent more than 25 years at Newcastle United as a player and coach. He started his playing career with his hometown team, Seaton Burn FC, before a move to Newcastle in 1897, in a transfer reputedly worth “less than a sovereign” (face value £1). Carr made his Newcastle début against Nottingham Forest in December 1899. His 279th and final appearance for them was against Woolwich Arsenal (now Arsenal FC) in January 1913. An excellent full-back, Carr was a member of Newcastle’s first three championship-winning teams in 1905, 1907, and 1909. He also won the FA Cup in 1910, and was runner-up in 1905 and 1909, when Newcastle missed out on being the first 20th century team to win the English League and Cup double. Other honours included the 1909 FA Charity Shield, one appearance for the Football League, and two full England caps, both against Ireland, in 1905 and 1907.

After his playing days, Carr became a trainer at Newcastle, and in 1920 coached the Denmark national team at the Antwerpen Olympics. After more than 25 years at Newcastle, Carr beat 79 other applicants to obtain the post as manager at Blackburn Rovers in February 1922. He became secretary-manager in 1925, but left the club the following year without winning any trophies.

Carr, who served as a corporal in the ASC (Army Service Corps) in World War I, was also a fine cricketer and played for club sides in Northumberland and Lancashire, and was at one time the professional at Hendon Cricket Club in Sunderland. He was also a solid golfer with a single figure handicap.